The most iconic version in the future?

[neatoman]

So the version that is still the most iconic is certainly the FW cartoon, there's no real doubt about that. But will it remain as such?

Sooner or later that some other version will be "the iconic one". It usually happens to franchises like TMNT, with so many versions being produced constantly, one will eventually take another one's spot as the most popular one. When I say Superman, most people will likely think of the 1978 movie, the one that was released 40 years after Superman's introduction. Batman is another example, despite Batman having been around for 27 years by the time of the Adam West show, that did not stop it from being the "iconic one" until the Tim Burton movies, nor were the Burton movies safe from Nolan's movies. Hell, an example that might hit harder for many of you would be that the Bay Transformers movies are what most people think of when they think Transformers.

So what version do you think could be the most iconic in a forseeable future?
My money's on the new movie series, for better or worse that is...

[CyberCubed]

If the Nick show goes on for a decade or lasts as long as Spongebob then it will be the most iconic version for everyone who grew up from 2012 till whenever it ends.

But aside from that, I think it will always be the original 80's cartoon as well as the first live action movie. The first movie and first cartoon will always be the most iconic to the general population.

[The Turtle Terminator]

Until the end of the "classic" generation, I think that the 80s series will be most iconic, if not, it'll be the 2012 series

[TigerClaw]

The original series lasted for 10 seasons, That in itself is very iconic and nothing will ever beat that... Unless the Nick series can last for more then 10 seasons. I don't remember how many seasons were of the 2003 series.

[IndigoErth]

Guessing it will likely remain the 80s version until the original TMNT generation(s) are old and gone and newer fans have little knowledge of the 80s show. Assuming the franchise itself is still alive then. For now, the 80s seems to have a pretty firm hold on being the popular retro design in terms of retro things being trendy.

My money's on the new movie series, for better or worse that is...
Ehhhh... At this point I'd be somewhat ok with them staying around as their own separate side version, since it's rather different, although in terms of staying power as the iconic version... I think it would have a better chance if there was not a current series. I think there is enough happening with Nick to likely counteract the movie version's hold, esp if the series spans at least several years and has far more merchandise than the movie(s) will ever put out. And maybe depending on how soon the next one would undoubtedly happen. Or that's my two cents at least.

If I ever see 2014 style merchandise put out as simply a version of the Turtles but not actually associated with the movie(s), just as a design style instead, I'll be surprised.

[Jephael]

The thing is TMNT has a very diverse fanbase. In its short 3 decade long existence, there've been atleast a dozen incarnations of them, and everyone is entitled to their feelings on the matter. Some love the classic 80s cartoon, others prefer the original movie and its sequels, and then of course there's the Mirage and Archie comic books so it's really hard to say.

While we're at it, why not take a look on the flip side of the question and ask ourselves what will be forever remembered as the most infamously terrible incarnation of the Ninja Turtles? I'm sure most people will say The Next Mutation and those campy music videos made for toddlers.

[chrisdude]

The 60's Batman series ran for two years. It's not just about how long the run is.

But if I had to guess, I would say at the Nickelodeon series has the best shot. It is the most widely liked and well received incarnation since the 90's. I think those are the two biggest factors.

[HeroTurtlesFan]

For many, the original Transformers comics and/or cartoon series are still the most iconic - 30 years after they were released. And TF has had a whole host of different iterations, versions etc. Arguably the movie version is giving it a run for its money, but I still think the majority would go for the original as truly iconic.

Of course, it's simplistic to ask which will be the most iconic - as you have to factor in the generational divide. I suspect for many ten years from now, the Nick series might be considered 'definitive' (there are many younger TF fans who rate the 1990s "Beast Wars" as the best, often as it was their first exposure to the franchise) but of course, older adults might retain a different answer.

[Wesley]

The thing is TMNT has a very diverse fanbase. In its short 3 decade long existence, there've been atleast a dozen incarnations of them, and everyone is entitled to their feelings on the matter. Some love the classic 80s cartoon, others prefer the original movie and its sequels, and then of course there's the Mirage and Archie comic books so it's really hard to say.

While we're at it, why not take a look on the flip side of the question and ask ourselves what will be forever remembered as the most infamously terrible incarnation of the Ninja Turtles? I'm sure most people will say The Next Mutation and those campy music videos made for toddlers.

I thought The Next Mutation was an okay show when I was 12. A few people at school liked it and said it was better than the OT. I watched a few episodes of it a year ago, though, and it was awful.

[IndigoErth]

Never saw Next Mutation back when it was on. Been catching it 'on demand' now and then though when a new one is available. Yup... that is pretty bad. But an amusing level of badness. Given the style I can only assume the makers of Power Rangers is behind it (esp considering I know there is supposedly a crossover episode), but while it may have worked for that show... that just isn't what the Turtles were meant to be. lol Safe to say it will stand no chance of ever being the 'iconic one.'

[Wesley]

Never saw Next Mutation back when it was on. Been catching it 'on demand' now and then though when a new one is available. Yup... that is pretty bad. But an amusing level of badness. Given the style I can only assume the makers of Power Rangers is behind it (esp considering I know there is supposedly a crossover episode), but while it may have worked for that show... that just isn't what the Turtles were meant to be. lol Safe to say it will stand no chance of ever being the 'iconic one.'

It's so bad, it's funny to watch. I saw the crossover episode with Power Rangers in Space in 2000 and I thought it was good, though.

[Davetello]

Yeah, will probably remain the '87 show. It simply hit at just the right time and its effect on popular culture of the time was staggering. Of course as time goes on that may fade from memory, but unless the turtles are revolutionised in a 'dark' manner again and that sort of thing becomes the norm (think an HBO show in the style of Mirage, which will clearly never happen), the FW show will probably remain the most iconic iteration.

To be honest, I've been hard on the FW series, but it is still fun to watch and not simply for nostalgia reasons. The series has a certain charm to it and I can't see that changing.

[Wesley]

Yeah, will probably remain the '87 show. It simply hit at just the right time and its effect on popular culture of the time was staggering. Of course as time goes on that may fade from memory, but unless the turtles are revolutionised in a 'dark' manner again and that sort of thing becomes the norm (think an HBO show in the style of Mirage, which will clearly never happen), the FW show will probably remain the most iconic iteration.

To be honest, I've been hard on the FW series, but it is still fun to watch and not simply for nostalgia reasons. The series has a certain charm to it and I can't see that changing.

I was a bit harsh on the '87 cartoon as well recently. There are a lot of problems with the show, but half of the episodes are still fun to watch. The characters make the show worth watching most of the time.

[Leo656]

I think the OT will forever be the most iconic version, with the Nick cartoon and first movie trading off second place periodically.

I honestly think the new film is going to be the "Batman and Robin" of the franchise, as in, it will be remembered, and not entirely as "bad", but definitely one of the lesser parts of the franchise that few, if any, fans will openly admit to being in love with ten years from now. Just like how there are a lot of people who will admit they like B&R, but also admit that it's an awful movie and they mostly only like it because they like everything with Batman in it.

That said, I still think Next Mutation is going to forever be known as the dregs, the absolute worst (even though Turtle Tunes etc. were worse but nobody saw those). It was just so poorly executed on every single level it's not even funny. Even a few good ideas they had were done so damn poorly, and the entire thing from start to finish is covered with cheese, that cheese that producers put on top of a product as if to say to the audience, "This is stupid. Why do you like this stuff? It's stupid. We're making it because it makes us money, but seriously, you guys are F'n stupid for liking this stuff. Here's your garbage, have fun with your little toys." And I can not STAND when a producer's contempt for the product and the audience creeps into what they're making.

It's a similar problem the new movie has, but TNM took it way too far.

[Davetello]

I was a bit harsh on the '87 cartoon as well recently. There are a lot of problems with the show, but half of the episodes are still fun to watch. The characters make the show worth watching most of the time.

Yeah, it definitely is still fun to watch. I was acrually able to binge lots of episodes consecutively earlier this year, so it is able to hold some attention. And for the most part the show is episodic rather than serial, so less demanding in terms of remembering things than Nick and 4kids are.

4kids is still my favourite of the three shows, though. I think it's the only television show where I remember almost everything about many episodes.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

4kids is also my favorite. But I can also remember every episode in the Nick cartoon as well.

If Viacom can give us merchandise from other incarnations of the property, maybe we'll truly see which one is more iconic. I just want to see merchandise that isn't just based on the 87 cartoon. There's Nick but it's the latest version so. Still, it's better than nothing.

[TigerClaw]

My first exposure to TMNT was via the 87 cartoon before knowing it was based on the comics, So the 80s series is the most iconic version to me, and a lot of the current incarnations are borrowing elements from it.

[Wesley]

My first experience of the tmnt was with the 1987 cartoon, but the 2003 series is my favourite. I think '87 will always be the most iconic version, though, as it had a good mix of comedy and action. The characters seem to be more memorable than the ones from newer shows.

[Refractive Reflections]

Until I see a TMNT series being so popular and with such high ratings, that it causes numerous imitators like the OT series did with Battletoads, Cheetahmen, Street Sharks, Biker Mice from Mars, Extreme Dinosaurs, etc., then it will be a competitor worth considering in answering this question. Until then, it will obviously be the OT especially with a longevity of 10 seasons and unimaginable commercial success, making them into pop cultural icons.

[Walkabout]

I think the OT will forever be the most iconic version, with the Nick cartoon and first movie trading off second place periodically.

I honestly think the new film is going to be the "Batman and Robin" of the franchise, as in, it will be remembered, and not entirely as "bad", but definitely one of the lesser parts of the franchise that few, if any, fans will openly admit to being in love with ten years from now. Just like how there are a lot of people who will admit they like B&R, but also admit that it's an awful movie and they mostly only like it because they like everything with Batman in it.

Totally agree.

I can see the Nick cartoon being a stayer.

[pannoni1]

Other franchises that come to mind:

Spider-man: The 2000s movies. The '90s cartoon the runner-up.
X-Men: See Spider-man
Star Trek: A heavily divided fandom. You have your TOS fans, your TNG fans, your DS9 fans, your classic movie series fans, and current movie series fans. I would say though that I'd give TNG the edge since it was appreciated by both TOS series fans and was the gateway drug for many second generation fans.
Power Rangers: The MMPR era easily
GI Joe: The Real American Hero era
He-Man/MOTU: The '80s cartoons/toyline
Star Wars: The original trilogy by far for anyone over 35, with the sequel trilogy equally appreciated among younger fans, but still a close second to the original trilogy. Expanded Universe is for the hardcores much like the comics are for most franchises.

And as for TMNT, for anyone in that 25-34 age range or so, its clearly the OT, with the movies second. The 35 and up tend to prefer the Mirage comics and original movies, but don't feel much affiliation with the cartoons. I also feel that 13-24 year old TMNT fans also tend to have a high affinity for the 4kids show as well as The Next Mutation and the 2007 movie being their "Growing Up" TMNT series, though they still appreciate the OT more than the young 12 and under fans who are Nick first and Michael Bay second and see the OT/first movie as "father's Ninja Turtles", though it remains to be seen as they age if they grow to like it. But the OT still has its classicness for anybody who hasn't "rediscovered" TMNT growing up and will be in for quite a surprise with all of the DVD releases along with the fact that vintage merchandise is popular in auctions/toy/comic stores and that the original cast still periodically attends conventions. It was/is the "heart and soul" of TMNT's identity. But since this was about "the future", I'd still give the edge to the OT as by then, Nick will be seen as no longer current just like the OT is now, and I still believe that 10-15 years for now, more Nick-native fans will be interested in revisiting the OT than aging OT fans revisiting Nick since they won't feel it was part of "their wonder years".

[Davetello]

Other franchises that come to mind:

Spider-man:

Right now, my favourite version of Spider-Man is Ultimate Spiderman comics. They're brilliant.